Ban on Social Media for Individuals Under 16: An Innovative Proposal from Australia

The decision in Australia to enforce a complete ban on social media for children under 16 should serve as a model for US lawmakers to consider.

Research consistently shows the detrimental effects of social media on children’s mental health, making it challenging for parents to monitor as it has become integral to social interactions.

It’s important to note that Australia’s approach does not penalize children or parents, but holds social media platforms accountable for effective screening.

Major platforms like TikTok, Instagram, X, and Facebook would have a year to implement measures to address this issue.

While no solution is foolproof, adopting an international effort to replicate Australia’s approach would discourage companies from making their products excessively addictive to children.

Shifting the focus from maximizing profits through algorithms to considering the risks they pose would significantly reduce the harmful impact of social media on children.

Despite opposition from Big Tech, public pressure is gaining momentum, evident in initiatives such as the US law requiring the sale of TikTok and Governor Hochul’s advocacy for groundbreaking social media regulations.

There should be no constitutional concerns in the US since the regulations target minors and do not involve government censorship but rather a content-neutral ban.

American lawmakers should initiate discussions to prompt platforms like Instagram to take concrete steps in detoxifying their products.